Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 791 · 40 questions

Writing tip (Main idea first): Read the detail sentences and ask: what are they ALL about? The topic sentence names that main idea in one sentence. A sentence about a different topic cannot open the paragraph, however nice it sounds.

1. 1.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
5. 5.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
6. 6.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Our class visited an old fort on a hill. Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) our pet cat (b) the rainy season (c) my grandfather (d) a visit to an old fort
7. 7.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   The railway station is always busy. Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) the night sky (b) a busy railway station (c) my new bicycle (d) a day at the beach
8. 8.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   The peacock is the national bird of India. It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) our classroom (b) our postman (c) the peacock (d) the village fair
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
10. 10.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The night sky is full of wonders. Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) the night sky (b) ants (c) flying kites (d) the vegetable market
11. 11.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    We have a pet cat named Mishti. She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) the village fair (b) saving water (c) our pet cat (d) my grandfather
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The day began with a march past. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) We must not waste water.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
18. 18.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our school sports day was full of fun. The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) grandma's garden (b) ants (c) our school sports day (d) the old banyan tree
19. 19.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My best friend is Farhan. Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) flying kites (b) ants (c) my best friend (d) the village fair
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
24. 24.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Ramesh is the postman in our area. He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) the peacock (b) my new bicycle (c) our postman (d) the school library
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
28. 28.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our classroom is bright and clean. It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) our classroom (b) our pet cat (c) my grandfather (d) elephants
29. 29.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    We must not waste water. Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) the village fair (b) the old banyan tree (c) saving water (d) ants
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
31. 31.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) my grandfather (b) making a rangoli (c) saving water (d) elephants
32. 32.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The monsoon is my favourite season. Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) our trip to the zoo (b) grandma's garden (c) the rainy season (d) the vegetable market
33. 33.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our school library is my favourite place. It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) the school library (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a cricket match (d) the night sky
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants store food for the winter. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We must not waste water.
39. 39.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    I got a new bicycle on my birthday. It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) our postman (b) our trip to the zoo (c) my new bicycle (d) my grandfather
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The railway station is always busy.

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